Improvement in steering devices



c. e. ELLIOTT.

Steering Devices. NO.148,434, Patented March 10. 1874.

QM, *h Wb @mamme Y lrlfNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES B. ELLIOTT, OF GREENPOINT, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEERING DEVICES.'`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,434, dated March10, 1874; application filedA February 13, 1874. l i

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. ELLIOTT, of Greenpoint, Kings county',inthe State of New York, have invented certain Improvements relating toBoat-Steering, of which the following is a specification:

The invention is intended more especially for very slender and lightrow-boats, used for racing and analogous fancy purposes, but may be usedwith some advantage in row-boats of other descriptions, and even,possibly, on sailboats, when for any reason it may be convenient for thesteersman to steer with his foot.

, It is peculiarly necessary with race-boats to allow the steersman theunobstructed use of his hands in working his oar. Means have been beforedevised to operate with the feet cords or ropes connected to the rudder.The present invention is intended to obviate the difficulties connectedtherewith. The ordinary arrangement employs both feet, and gives an`unstable support or brace for the feet in the vigorous rowing which isrequired of the steersman simultaneously with his steeringing movements.

My invention gives always a firm support in the ordinary position of thestretcher or foot-brace, and among a multitude of other advantagesaffords great facilities for a proper hold for the feet in the use ofthe sliding seat. The modern sliding seat, moving fore and aft by thealternate contraction and expansion of the rowers lower limbs, calls fora hold by the feet, to enable the rower to draw himself vigorouslytoward it, as well as to thrust himself Y powerfully away.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out my invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specication.

Figure l is a portion of a longitudinal section through a race-boat,with my improvements. Fig. 2 is a portion of a transverse sectionthereof.

Similar letters of reference indica-te like parts in all the figures.

A is the shell or skin of the boat, and A1 is what I sometimes call theiloor board. A2

arc of a circle, of which the pivot-bolt B, near the floor-board, is thecenter. On this pivot B I mount a foot-piece 0r swiveling-frame, D,

which is shaped to receive one of the feet oi' the steersman, and allowit to be turned on the pivot B atwill. A strap, E, passed through earsD2 of the sides of the foot.piece D, holds the toe of the steersmanfirmly in the frame D, while the heel-rim D1 supports the foot againstbecoming misplaced by sliding downward too far. In case of theaccidental upsetting of the boat, the steersman can readily extricatehis foot 'by drawing it, heel foremost, toward him. A quadrant piece, C,of brass or other suitable metal, is embedded in the face of thestretcher A5, and forms a' smooth support on which the lz'gmrm-m'tface-pieces D5, which are/'riveted on the under face of the frame D, mayslide. The frame D is formed with a broad, stout projection, D1,reaching into the slot a, and carrying a stout lip, D5, which hooksunder the fixed quadrant C, and holds the foot-piece D and itsconnections in their proper position, against the vigorous pulls by thefoot of the steersman, on the strap E. An arm, D5, which may be muchslen derer, extends through the slot a, and affords a point ofattachment for two cords or ropes, G1 G2, which lead around pulleys H,placed opposite thereto on the sides of the boat, respectively, andthence aft tothe rudder, one extending along on each side of the boat.They may be attached to the rudder directly, or through the medium of atiller or other device, as may be preferred. v

When the steersman inclines his foot in one direction or the other, heturns the foot-piece D on its pivot B, and moves the cords G1 G2,thereby shifting the rudder to the desired extent. When the parts vareproperly made,

for the thrusting motion, and the strap E gives him a reliable and lirmhold for the contracting motion.

In order to compensate for the thickness of the frame D and itsZignmn-zitw slides D3, a piece of board ot' corresponding thickness maybe iixed on the stretcher alongside, to receive the other foot. By thismeans the steersman rows with both feet planted on supports of exactlyequal height or distance from his body.

Many modications of the proportions and details may be made by any goodmechanic, without departing from the principle of my invention. Thus,instead of the buckle, represented in Fig. 2, for adjusting the strap E,a screw-connection or other delicate means may be employed, or any ofthe devices used in securing skates to the foot may be employed in thisconnection; but I esteem it important to provide for the sure detachmentof the foot by a vigorous effort, in case of accident. A fixed strap, ofsuitable form, may take the place of the adjustable strap E, with somesuccess. So, also, a tight instead of an open-work foot-piece, D, oreven a piece of hard board, properly fitted, might be employed insteadot' the metal frame. Some portions of the improvement may be used withadvantage without the others; but I prefer the whole together, and inabout the proportions here shown.

Two bright pieces of metal, a e', are employed, to conveniently indicateto the eye the true central position of the foot-piece, and consequentlyof the rudder. The piece D maybe pivoted under the stretcher. In suchcase the ears D2 will project through the slot a in the same, andreceive the strap E the same as shown. This construction does away withthe parts D4 D5. lt affords a firm hold for the foot,

holding it between the strap E and the face of the stretcher.

The heel may rest in a curved fixed support,A

or it may rest the same as shown, in a movable socket, mounted on apivot extending through the stretcher.

Some of the advantages due to certain features of the invention may beseparately enumerated, as follows: First, by reason ot' the fact thatthe foot-piece D moves in the plane of the stretcher, on the frontthereof, it affords a lirm support for the thrust of the foot in allpositions, and allows motion to be imparted at any period in the stroke;second,'by reason of the steering-ropes Gr1 Gr2 lying under and forwardof the stretcher, and being connected to the foot-piece D through themedium of arigid arm from the latter, extending through a4 curved slot,I am able to keep the front of the stretcher clear, and to communicatemotion directly to the steering-ropes, without any allowance for lostmotion; third, by reason ofthe lip D5 matching under the stretcher, asshown, I am able to apply the force of the foot in drawing the bodyforward by means of the strap E, attached to the foot-piece.

I claim as my invention- The pivoted footpiece D on the front of thestretcher, and moving in the plane thereof, in in combination with thesteeringropes G1 Gr2 leading therefrom around the pulley H to therudder, as specied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day ofFebruary, 1,874, in the presence of two subscribing'witnesses.

CIIAS. B. ELLIOTT.

Witnesses:

Wir. C. DEY, `ARNOLD IIRMANN.

